Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 380/11

SPTS BUS ROUTES

Shillong, August 2, 2011: The Managing Director, Shillong Public Transport Service has informed the public of Shillong, that the SPTS bus routes have been revised with immediate effect.

The SPTS buses will ply from Iewduh – Mawblei via St. Edmunds, Iewduh - Nongrah via Laitumkhrah, Iewduh - NEGRIHMS via Nongmynsong, Iewduh - Mawiongrim via Mawlai Pump, Police Bazar- Police Bazar (circular) via Garikhana, Police Bazar- Police Bazar (circular) via Polo, Iewduh - 7th Mile, Iewduh – Lumparing via Red Cross, Iewduh – Police Bazar via Red Cross Lawsohtun, Iewduh – Mawryngkneng, Police Bazar– NEHU Gate via Polo, FCI, Phudmuri,Iewduh – Umpling via Laitumkhrah, Shillong – AirPort – (Umroi) Express Service.

Press Release No. 381/11

MEGHALAYA DAY AWARDS, 2012

Shillong, August 2, 2011: To commemorate the Meghalaya Day on the 21st January, 2012, the Government of Meghalaya will present awards in recognition of outstanding achievement in the fields of Art & Literature, Social Services and Sports at the rate of Rs. 50,000/ each. The Awards in the respective fields have been named as U Tirot Sing Award for Art & Literature, Pa Togan N Sangma Award for Social Services, U Kiang Nangbah Award for Sports.

Intending individuals from East Khasi Hills district who desire their names to be recommended to the Government for the Award are requested to send their nominations to the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong by 24th October, 2011.

Press Release No. 382/11

NOTICE

Shillong, August 2, 2011: The Executive Engineer (PHE), Greater Shillong Water Supply Division No-1, Shillong has informed that permanent restoration works for strengthening of both 300mm dia C.I. Gravity Feeder main pipelines at Wahrisa under Phase II of GSWSS conveying water supply to Zone-III (Laitumkhrah, Nongrimbah, Upper & Lower New colony, Upland Road, Nongrimmaw etc.), Zone IV (Motinagar, Cleve Colony areas etc.) Zone V (Upper Nongthymmai, Lawjynriew, Pohkeh, Rynjah, Nongshilliang, Nongrim Hills areas etc.) and part of Lower Malki areas has been completed on 27th July 2011.

Press Release No. 383/11

CHIEF MINISTER INAUGURATES STATE RURAL EMPLOYMENT SOCIETY

Shillong, August 2, 2011: The office of the State Rural Employment Society (SRES) was today inaugurated by the Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma in a function held at the Simpli Building, Dhanketi, Shillong. Also present on the occasion was Minister for C&RD, Shri Saleng Sangma, Meghalaya Chief Secretary Shri. W M S Pariat, Commission and Secretary, C & RD, Shri. K N Kumar and officers of the Government.

The State Rural Employment Society , which is registered under the Meghalaya Societies Registration Act , XII of 1983 and headed by the Meghalaya Chief Secretary as Chairman, will function as the implementing agency of MGNREGA in the State, Besides aiming to improve the implementation and management of the Scheme more effectively, the SRES will also handle the training and capacity building of Area Employment Council (AEC) and Village Employment Councils(VECs) and create effective public grievance redressal mechanism.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mukul Sangma stated that National Rural Employment Generation Scheme (NREGA), which is the flagship programme of the Government of India, is one of the world largest economic stimulus. The Scheme, which is targeted at the rural poor, has given a huge fillip to the upliftment of the rural economy since its implementation in the State four years ago. Informing that the over 4 lakhs job cards have been registered as far with a financial implication of over ` 4 crores, Dr. Mukul pointed out that a huge quantum of fund was available for such development initiatives.

Stating that Meghalaya has adopted the best system of implementation of NGREA in the State, wherein the benefit reaches the people directly, he added that the formation of the State Rural Employment Society will go a long way in tackling issues that have hampered the smooth implementation of MGNREGA in the State. He expressed hope that problems of fund flow to the District and Block levels, data entries etc will be effectively addressed by the Society. Furthermore, Dr. Sangma stressed on the need for convergence between the projects implemented under MGNREGA and development initiatives undertaken by other line departments in rural areas and for the purpose the Government has earmarked ` 50 lakhs for each Block.

Adding his thoughts on the occasion, Minster for C & RD, Mr Saleng Sangma said that although the State’s performance with regard to implementation of MGNREGA was good, however more needed to be done. As such the aspiration to provide high quality delivery mechanism and remove all bottlenecks in the implementation of the Programme necessitated the creation of a dedicated organisation for the purpose of implementing and managing the programme and this took form in the shape of the State Rural Employment Society. Not only will the Society bring about better streamlining in the implementation of the MGNREGA but it will help in better monitoring and reporting of the outcome of the schemes, he added.

Earlier, Meghalaya Chief Secretary Shri. W M S Pariat, stressed on the importance of tapping the full potential of MNREGA in improving the economic well being of the rural masses and added that a focussed approach which can be achieved through the State Rural Employment Society, will go a long way in generating more employment for the people.

The Commission and Secretary, C & RD, Shri. K N Kumar gave an overview on the genesis of the Society, its salient features and the role that it is expected to play in the implantation of MGNREA in the state of Meghalaya.